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Here is an SEO-friendly sports article based on France’s 1–0 Nations League victory over Türkiye and the early questions surrounding Zinedine Zidane’s tenure.
What Will Be Zidane’s Biggest Challenge Coaching France? Reaction to France’s Win Over Türkiye
Zinedine Zidane began his tenure as France manager with a narrow 1–0 victory over Türkiye in the UEFA Nations League on September 25, 2026. Kylian Mbappé scored the decisive goal, giving Zidane a winning start in his first competitive match in charge of Les Bleus. However, the result also highlighted several challenges the legendary French midfielder will face as he attempts to build his own era with the national team.
Zidane took over from Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup, ending Deschamps’ 14-year spell as France coach. The appointment has generated enormous expectations because of Zidane’s success as a player and his record of winning three Champions League titles as Real Madrid manager.
France Win, But Performance Raises Questions
France secured the three points, but the performance against Türkiye was far from dominant. The match was closely contested, and France struggled to consistently control the game.
According to Le Monde, France’s performance was affected by a slow first half and an uneven second period, although the result gave Zidane an important winning start.
The victory nevertheless has historical significance. Zidane became the first France manager since Aimé Jacquet in 1994 to begin his tenure with a victory.
For Zidane, however, the bigger objective will be developing a recognizable style and making France consistently effective against strong international opposition.
Mbappé Remains Central to the Project
One of the biggest talking points from the Türkiye match was Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé scored France’s only goal before leaving the match with an injury. Reports said he would miss France’s next three matches because of the injury.
The forward also started on the left side, a position he had not occupied regularly for France for two years. The tactical adjustment could become an important part of Zidane’s plans, particularly as he attempts to balance Mbappé with France’s other attacking stars.
Managing the relationship between Zidane and Mbappé will therefore be one of the most closely watched aspects of the new France era.
Finding the Right Tactical Identity
Zidane’s biggest football challenge may be creating a clear tactical identity.
France possesses a deep squad filled with elite-level players, but having individual quality does not automatically produce a balanced team. Against Türkiye, France used a 4-3-3 system, but the team took time to adjust to Zidane's ideas.
Zidane must determine how his midfield and attack should function, where Mbappé should play, and how France can maintain attacking creativity without sacrificing defensive stability.
The Türkiye match provided an early indication that this process will take time.
Replacing the Deschamps Era
Another major challenge is succeeding a manager who spent 14 years in charge.
Deschamps built France into one of international football's most successful teams, including winning the 2018 World Cup and reaching another World Cup final in 2022. Zidane now has to establish his own methods while maintaining the standards established during the previous era.
That means Zidane is not simply coaching a talented national team. He is taking over a team with exceptionally high expectations.
Building the Next Generation
Zidane has also shown a willingness to introduce new players. His first France squad included six uncapped players, and he indicated that the national team remained open to players who earned their opportunities.
This could become another defining part of his tenure.
France already has established stars, but international teams must continually develop new talent. Zidane will need to decide which young players can become regular contributors while maintaining the competitive level expected from France.
The Pressure of Expectations
Perhaps the most obvious challenge will be managing expectations.
Zidane is not an ordinary appointment for France. He is one of the country's greatest football figures and has already experienced extraordinary success with Real Madrid. His arrival has naturally created huge attention around every tactical decision and every result.
The Guardian noted that Zidane has taken over a France team with extremely high expectations and highlighted the importance of the relationship between Zidane and Mbappé. (
A narrow victory over Türkiye gives Zidane a positive beginning, but future matches will provide a clearer picture of how quickly his ideas are taking shape.
Reaction to the Türkiye Victory
The immediate reaction to Zidane's debut is therefore mixed in a factual sense: France won, but the performance showed areas requiring improvement.
The 1–0 scoreline demonstrates that Zidane's France can collect results even while adapting to a new tactical system. At the same time, the limited attacking fluency and Mbappé's injury create early questions for the coaching staff.
Zidane himself had warned before the match that Türkiye would provide a difficult test, describing the Turkish team as very good and capable of causing France problems. (Anadolu Ajansı)
What Comes Next for Zidane?
The Türkiye match was only the beginning.
Zidane's biggest task will be turning France's enormous collection of individual talent into a cohesive team with a consistent tactical identity. He must also manage player development, injuries, tactical flexibility and the expectations that naturally come with coaching France.
The victory in Türkiye gives him three important points and a winning start. But the real test will be whether France can develop into the team Zidane wants over the months and years ahead.
For now, the new France era has begun with a victory — but plenty of work remains for Zinedine Zidane.
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